I still have a difficult time getting my arms around the unhinged animosity, ignorance and hatred I have observed during this election cycle. Having a strong, well-formed opinion is one thing, but many are spiraling out of control.

One would hope it ends today, but I do not believe we will be that lucky.

Ray, I have been observing these same things. We are no longer even a civilized nation in terms of how people are treating each other. Even families have been sharply divided and relationships harmed. It’s a very sad commentary on the state of the nation. And, like you, I don’t have much hope that we will see an improvement after the election. I sure hope both of us are wrong.

The ugliness of our politics here have caught us up in its web. As families, to survive, to maintain our relationships, we have to open our hearts and try to be understanding. We don’t want to be estranged from our loved ones. Why in the world do our politicians behave in such dysfunctional ways?